Shamanic charm - Nanai - Siberia

In the vast expanses of the Great North — from Siberia to Alaska, through Greenland and the Inuit territories of Canada — shamanic practices and the use of masks play a central role in spirituality and community life. These traditions, deeply rooted in the relationship with nature and spirits, reflect a worldview where humans, animals and invisible forces are closely linked.

Shamanism: a link between worlds

The shaman, a key figure in these societies, acts as an intermediary between the living and the spirits. Through rituals, songs, drums and trances, he journeys in altered states of consciousness to heal illnesses, calm the spirits or ensure hunting success. In Siberia, for example, the Yakut or Evenk shamans wear costumes adorned with symbols and accessories such as reindeer-skin drums to evoke the spirits. Among the Inuit, the angakkuq (shaman) plays a similar role, often in relation to Sedna, the sea goddess, to guarantee the abundance of marine resources.

Masks: objects of transformation and protection

Masks, carved from wood, ivory or bone, are powerful ritual tools. They represent animal spirits (such as the bear, the raven or the whale), ancestors, or supernatural entities. Worn during seasonal ceremonies or initiation rites, they allow the wearer — often the shaman — to embody these forces and communicate with them.

- In Alaska and among the Yupik, yua masks are used during winter celebrations to honor the hunting spirits and ensure the return of game.
- In Siberia, masks of the Chukotkans or Koriaks are used to drive away bad spirits or to celebrate the cycles of nature.
- Among the Inuit, certain masks, such as those of the drum dance, symbolize the connection with sea spirits and the protection of hunters.

A living heritage

Although these practices were threatened by colonization and religious missions, they are experiencing a revival today. Contemporary artists of the Great North reinterpret traditional masks, while communities reclaim shamanic rituals to preserve their identity and their bond with the land.

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